The Eastern Bank Foundation’s Impact Grants program is a philanthropic initiative designed to support nonprofit organizations advancing Economic Inclusion and Mobility across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. This grant opportunity represents one of Eastern Bank’s key strategic investments, reflecting its long-standing commitment to building thriving, equitable communities through targeted funding.
Impact Grants are intended for 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations working in one or more of the Foundation’s five strategic focus areas: advancing equity in the small business ecosystem, enriching early childhood development (ages 0–5), securing safe and affordable housing, promoting workforce development, and innovating in economic inclusion and mobility. Funding decisions are guided by the Foundation’s belief in grassroots solutions and community-driven change.
The application process is twofold. First, interested organizations must submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) online at any time. If the LOI aligns with the Foundation’s priorities, the applicant may be invited to submit a full application. This approach enables ongoing intake while ensuring that prospective grantees clearly meet eligibility and strategic criteria before proceeding further.
Impact Grants do not follow a fixed deadline; applications are accepted on a rolling basis and generally take up to 90 days for a decision after a full application is submitted. The Foundation typically provides feedback or decisions on LOIs within 60 days. All submissions must be made via the Foundation’s online portal. Paper and email submissions are not accepted. First-time users must register with a unique email address tied to a single organization.
Ineligible applicants include private foundations, organizations with IRS sub-designation 509(a)(3), and international entities. While specific funding amounts are not disclosed publicly, the Foundation has committed over $12 million annually across its community initiatives, a portion of which is reserved for Impact Grants.
For more information or to initiate an application, organizations should visit the Eastern Bank Foundation’s website or direct inquiries through their customer service team at 1-800-EASTERN.
